Nope. He's being himself, but does repeat stories sometimes. (Like we all do.) I've heard him talk about the old lady with a tan before for example.
They were funny tonight, I thought.
Ricky Gervais, Steve Merchant & Karl Pilkington. Page 3
I think they just recycle the old podcasts now from what I can tell. Gervais does it in his act and I heard Merchant mention something on Graham Norton the other day too. No doubt it'll appear in his stand-up act as well.
Still funny though.
Quote: zooo @ March 19 2011, 1:28 AM GMTNope. He's being himself, but does repeat stories sometimes. (Like we all do.) I've heard him talk about the old lady with a tan before for example.
They were funny tonight, I thought.
I heard him years ago on XFM when they first had him and I thought he was genuine but really tonight's seemed so contrived.
Well it is in a wayyy. Cos Ricky and Steve knew what sort of thing they wanted him to say in that clip, so they at least tried to steer him there.
But I would never go so far as to say he's an actor.
Good old Graham, fooled zooo again, 
Plus they did the radio show for years so they probably told a lot of their favourite anecdotes and thought of some of their funniest stuff.
I wouldn't be surprised if a few get repeated from time to time.
I think it's the type of thing finding a new audience all the time. First the radio show, then the podcast and now the animation have reached different types of people. Karl has said so many classic things that it's worth the repeat.
Looky look who just got mentioned by the Onion AV Club!
http://www.avclub.com/articles/ricky-gervais-announces-third-season-of-the-ricky,54312/
Time Warner Cable - Enjoy Better Anthem ( Super Bowl 46 Commercial ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NbNNi741MA
Stephen Merchant is the guest on the most recent episode of Marc Maron's WTF Podcast:
I ponder, did I unknowingly help influence this HBO banner
As last year Ricky did say he loved this that I did!
Ha! I think yours is better, random. 
Quote: Nil Putters @ April 16 2012, 8:17 PM BSTHa! I think yours is better, random.
Cheers mate.
Podcast is great, got me through so much traveling. I think the animation is okay, don't really go out my way to watch it, but I found idiot abroad so dull, sloq and poorly excuted, seeling themselves out completly something which Gervais often condems.